WLA Honors Outstanding Hotel Employees and Programs with 16th Annual Stars Awards
(November 12, 2014) WLA recognized six employees and three properties with 2014 Stars Awards for their outstanding service and contribution to the industry. WLA allied member PSAV was also recognized as WLA’s Allied Partner of the Year. The prestigious Stars of the Industry Awards were presented November 10 at the Celebrating Northwest Hospitality Dinner & Auction, one of the highlights of this year’s Convention & Trade Show at Semiahmoo Resort in Blaine.
WLA’s Stars Awards program, which is now in its 16th year, celebrates the people, programs and partners who exemplify the best in Washington hospitality. Moss Adams LLP sponsored the Awards and Roy Cupler, CPA, a WLA Board Officer and Moss Adams Partner presented the awards. Properties were also recognized for community service, special events and efforts to achieve environmental sustainability. Winners who are associated with an American Hotel & Lodging Association-member property will be entered in the AH&LA Stars Awards Program.
Congratulations to the 2014 Stars of the Industry Award Winners
Outstanding General Manager of the Year: Bill Weise, Silver Cloud Hotel Seattle Stadium
This prestigious award honors a general manager who has demonstrated superior professionalism and taken a leadership role in the industry by actively participating in association, community or industry programs. Bill Weise was nominated for not only his outstanding performance managing an extremely active hotel and large staff, but for his meaningful contribution to community organizations and initiatives. He serves as community liaison for Silver Cloud Inns & Hotels in the downtown Seattle market and has been active in the Washington Lodging Association, the Seattle Hotel Association, the Downtown Seattle TPA and, most recently, on a minimum wage task force. He responds to WLA’s calls to action, making important calls to legislators, and works to advance the hospitality industry whenever possible. He has made an important contribution to the Inhospitable to Trafficking Training initiative which Businesses to End Slavery and Trafficking (BEST) and WLA have helped develop to address trafficking and related crimes at lodging establishments.
Rising Star of the Year: Moriah Glasgow, Renaissance Seattle Hotel
Given to an outstanding individual new to the industry or to his or her position for exceptional efforts to serve and enhance the experience of the traveling public, the Rising Star of the Year exemplifies the spirit of hospitality. When the Renaissance Seattle Hotel needed someone to assist the food and beverage manager, Moriah Glasgow was willing to roll up her sleeves. With a keen eye for details, she was instrumental in raising scores for beverage & food service and showed the wisdom to reassess, retool and recharge when an idea or approach needed refining.
Outstanding Lodging Employee (Limited Service): LeAnna Bryant, Office Manager, The Canterbury Inn at Ocean Shores
The Outstanding Lodging Employee Award recognizes a non-management employee who goes above and beyond normal job responsibilities and provides outstanding and unusual service to a property, its guests and the community. In nominating her, General Manager Ken Elgin wrote that from the first “Hello and welcome” to the “I hope you enjoyed your stay,” LeAnna Bryant is constantly looking for ways to make a guest’s experience memorable and enjoyable. Examples of her dedication to customer service include setting up birthday parties on her own time, and she treats guests as if they were family members visiting her home.
Outstanding Lodging Employee (Full Service): Josh Chan, Restaurant Bartender and Server, Best Western Plus Executive Inn, Seattle
Josh Chan’s managers report that he consistently achieves high performance levels, and his team often hears about his exceptional service from guests. He has the personality and experience to make guests from any race or culture feel at home, and the hotel regularly receives positive comments from all who encounter him at his hotel. Both his energy and enthusiasm increase when he has the opportunity to serve customers and guests.
Outstanding Manager of the Year (Limited Service): Melissa Church, Sales Manager, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Pullman
Nominees in this category are judged on the degree to which they show outstanding leadership qualities, consistently enhance the general well-being of guests, and provide exceptional service. Melissa Church quickly demonstrated all of these abilities from the moment she joined the staff of the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Pullman. When a temporary night auditor was needed she filled the role without a hitch, never complaining when the short-term fix turned into a three month position. She also stepped in to serve as a guest services manager before becoming an excellent sales manager.
Outstanding Manager of the Year (Full Service): Michael “Mickey” Niland, Maintenance Chief, Silver Cloud Hotel Seattle Stadium
Described as an outstanding manager, team member, hotel professional, father, friend and caring human being, Mickey Niland is known as a hard worker committed to taking care of those who can’t take care of themselves. He strives to provide a path of upward mobility for immigrants and entry-level team members and helps team members refine their job skills and improve their language and personal skills to increase their opportunities. He has identified, trained and promoted team members who are now on career paths they never envisioned pursuing.
Allied Partner of the Year: PSAV
PSAV has been setting the standard for event technology services within the hotel, resort and conference center industry for more than 77 years and has been supporting WLA for a decade. As an in-kind sponsor of WLA’s Annual Convention & Trade Show, they meet all audiovisual needs and partner with the host property to bring the latest technology and innovation to this important industry event, creating a fresh look each and every year. PSAV also supports WLA Board-hosted luncheons, ensuring that each program is flawless. In 2013, thanks to its partnership with PSAV, Director of Event Technology Paul Kovach and his team at DoubleTree by Hilton Seattle Airport and the Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference Center were recognized as having the highest customer satisfaction of over 400 properties owned and managed by Hilton Hotels. Jaymes Toycen, PSAV’s Regional VP of Operations, and PSAV have demonstrated an amazing commitment to service, to the Association and to the industry.
Good Earthkeeping Award: Kalaloch Lodge, Olympic National Park
Kalaloch Lodge has a commitment to environmental stewardship and began implementing GreenPath® in 2012 when Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts’ was awarded the concession contract to provide lodging and other services at the Lodge. As a result, Kalaloch Lodge is conserving natural resources, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and providing opportunities for future generations to experience this special place. They’ve built their own waste management system from the ground up, increasing waste diversion from less than 5% to nearly 50% in just one year. The Lodge has also reduced water consumption by 41% to save over 1.2 million gallons of water and reduced energy consumption by 11.5%, among other achievements.
Special Event: 40th Anniversary of the Dempcy Family Ownership of the Mayflower Park Hotel
This Stars award honors programs or campaigns that demonstrate a creative approach to scheduled events, anniversaries, charity events, holidays, or special publicity events, and this year’s winner was a celebration of the people and the history of an iconic Seattle property. To recognize forty years of ownership by the Dempcy family, and to document the importance of the Mayflower Park Hotel in Seattle’s history, the hotel’s three historians, Trish Festin, Audrey McCombs and Craig Packer, with Gonzaga University history major Steve Festin, partnered with Arcadia Publishing to publish Seattle’s Mayflower Park Hotel. In addition to celebrating the book’s publication, the 40th Anniversary Party featured historical photographs, memorabilia and artfully prepared food and cocktails. The guest list was a who’s who of Seattle, and owners Birney and Marie Dempcy received a City of Seattle Proclamation stating that “The Mayflower Park Hotel has been a significant part of Seattle’s vibrant history, holding course through both the ups and downs, while staying original since day one.”
Outstanding Community Service: Embassy Suites Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
The Outstanding Community Service Award honors programs that demonstrate community engagement at the national or local level, and the Embassy Suites Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is a repeat winner. It has long been committed to giving back to the community, and over the course of the past year, the Embassy Suites team has helped raise funds for the Starlight Children’s Foundation Trick or Suite, Puget Sound Down Syndrome Community’s Buddy Walk, Philippines earthquake survivors, Oso families and Childhaven, a therapeutic childcare center that supports children who have been abused or neglected. “Denim Friday” was one standout event initiated by the front desk clerk, not the corporate office. Embassy Suites team members made donations to wear jeans on Fridays for a full month, raising funds to assist families affected by the Oso landslide.
Photos by WLA Allied Member Karen Mullen Photography